This man however is, more than ever, now patronized by the great villain, who is his uncle.” 1 John Adams toiled amid heart-breaking discouragements to negotiate loans in Holland. Some of the business houses of that country were disposed to oblige America, others were partisans of England. John de Neufville & Son, Hend' Steenbergen, de la Lande and Fynje, and Horneca Fizeau & Co. were friendly to America; Hope & Co., Richard Wilkinson, Ten Broeck & Co., and Van der Pol were closely allied with English interests. One of the earliest Dutch sympathizers with America was Joan Derck van der Capellen. He wrote twice to Franklin, and receiving no reply, asked Dr. Price to introduce him. Price replied: "You intimate that you would be glad to be introduced to an acquaintance with Dr. Franklin. I wish I could oblige you in this, but it is scarcely in my power. While in England he was one of my most intimate friends, but from mutual regard we have since avoided writing to one another." Under the name of Hortalez & Co., Caron de Beaumarchais directed the business of America in France. The affair of the Amphitrite, a ship owned by Beaumarchais, was the first to convince Great Britain of the encouragement that France was giving to the Americans. Silas Deane, pressed by Beaumarchais and Vergennes, recommended a French officer, Du Coudray, to Congress as a military leader of great experience. With a letter of introduction from Franklin and Deane, and a commission as 1 See "Brieven van en aan Joan Derck van der Capellen van de Poll. uitgegeven door Mr. W. H. De Beaufort." Utrecht, Kemink & Zoon, 1879 (p. 162). This book contains the correspondence of Capellen with Americans, and much information concerning American business transactions in Europe. general of artillery granted by Deane, he sailed upon Beaumarchais' vessel, Amphitrite. The assumed name of Durand was a thin disguise for a man so widely known as Caron Beaumarchais. He wrote extravagant letters to the Committee of Correspondence, hurried to French seaports, engaged vessels to transport merchandise and military stores to America, paying two-thirds of the freight in advance and finding security for the remainder. He loaded vessels in the secrecy of night after being forbidden by the government to engage in such illegal operations. To quote his own words: "If government caused my vessels to be unloaded in one port I sent them secretly to reload at a distance in the roads. Were they stopped under their proper names I changed them immediately or made pretended sales, and put them anew under fictitious commissions. Were obligations in writing exacted from my Captains to go nowhere but to the West India Islands, powerful gratifications on my part made them yield again to my wishes. Were they sent to prison on their return for disobedience, I then doubled their gratifications to keep their zeal from cooling, and consoled them with gold for the rigour of our government. Voyages, messengers, agents, presents, rewards, no expense was spared. One time, by reason of an unexpected counter order, which stopped the departure of one of my vessels, I hurried by land to Havre twenty-one pieces of cannon, which, if they had come from Paris by water, would have retarded us ten days." 1 Maurepas, the Prime Minister, was a frivolous character who was amused by the wit and good humour of Beaumar 1 The capital which Beaumarchais employed was the million from the French treasury in June, 1776; the million from Spain, September, 1776; and another million from France in 1777. chais. He influenced De Vergennes to allow Beaumarchais a free hand, and the latter succeeded in despatching the Amphitrite. When the vessel returned in three weeks by orders of Du Coudray who was dissatisfied with his quarters, Beaumarchais in wrath turned the General of Artillery out of the ship and succeeded again in gaining the assent of the ministers to the second sailing of the vessel. Stormont wrote to Lord Weymouth (January 29, 1777): “What has happened with regard to the Amphitrite is a strong proof of Monsieur de Maurepas' Unsteadiness and Irresolution. I have no doubt that orders were sent to Havre which would have prevented her sailing at all if they had not arrived too late. It was most natural to infer from thence that stress of weather and other accidents having forced her to put into L'Orient she would be ordered to remain there. This was in contemplation, but an Unwillingness to combat the Intrigues of the different Parties who from various Causes favour the Rebels, or Apprehension of appearing to be dictated to by Great Britain, a Dread of Beaumarchais' Indiscretion, if he was made desperate, and perhaps a little of that paltry Policy that wishes to stab in the Dark made M. de Maurepas connive, at least, at this second Departure of the Amphitrite. A Friend of M. de Maurepas to whom I was talking upon the Subject dropped this unguarded Expression. Mais que voulez vous, si peut-etre on a laché indiscretement quelque Parole a ce Beaumarchais on quelque Billet que sais je moi? on est bien embarrasse quand en a eu affaire à le parolles gars." 1 1 Du Coudray sailed upon another ship. When he arrived in America, the artillery service was already arranged, and General Knox appointed to the chief command. Much contention ensued, many officers resigned, and CHAPTER VIII VAST EUROPEAN FAME JONATHAN LORING AUSTIN carried the despatches that brought to France the news of the capture of Burgoyne's army. The excitement in Paris was immense. Beaumarchais, lifted from the depth of despair and of financial ruin, drove in such haste to the city to congratulate Franklin that his glass coach was overturned, and he was so badly cut about the face and body by the broken glass that he lay in danger of his life. Europe rejoiced at the check administered to England in America. Paris rejoiced as though the victory had been won by French troops over the enemies of France. There was tumultuous and tremendous joy.' Three days after Austin arrived, Franklin drew up a memorial proposing a tripartite alliance of France, Spain, and America. De Vergennes promised an answer in two days when it should be known how well disposed he was to serve the cause of America. The treaties of amity and commerce with his most Christian Majesty, and of alliance for mutual defence were signed Deane was blamed for the confusion and dissension. Du Coudray was drowned in the Schuylkill. The Amphitrite returned with a cargo of rice and indigo valued at one hundred and fifty thousand francs, consigned not to Hortales & Co., but to Lee, Deane, and Franklin. Beaumarchais produced his contract with Deane, plead with Franklin to save his house from ruin, and obtained the cargo in spite of the protests of Arthur Lee. 1 Burgoinised became a popular word in both France and America. Madame Brillon used it in her correspondence, and John Adams, speaking of the Elizabethtown affair, April 29, 1779, said, "It appears that the English were repulsed and lost the cattle and horses they had taken and if they had not fled with uncommon dexterity they would have been burgoinisses, a technical term which I hope the Academie will admit into the language by lawful authority." by the plenipotentiaries on both sides, February 6, 1778.1 For a few weeks the treaties were kept secret through some doubt of their ratification by Congress. When they were publicly avowed, the commissioners were received at court (February 20) and established in full diplomatic relations with the government of France. Madame du Deffand wrote to Horace Walpole (March 22, 1778): “Mr. Franklin has been presented to the King. He was accompanied by some twenty insurgents, three or four of whom wore a uniform. Franklin wore a dress of reddish brown velvet, white hose, his hair hanging loose, his spectacles on his nose, and a white hat under his arm. I do not know what he said, but the reply - 1 On the last day of 1777 one of William Eden's spies wrote to him: "Doctor Franklin is all life and full of Spirits - he dined last week with the Doctor of the Invalids at this place after dinner the Gent gave Success to the American Arms—and if you please says Franklin we'll add a perpetual and everlasting understanding between the House of Bourbon and the American Congress-this has made much noise here- & the General opinion of the people is that Alliance is absolutely concluded between this Court and the Americans - for my part I cannot say much at presentas am just arrived—and have hardly had time to turn myself - However by next Courier expect a full account of their whole proceeding as far as I can come at, - I am sorry to be the Messenger of bad news—yet I am confident 'tis absolutely necessary you should have the best and most Authentic Intelligence- You may depend on me for every thing that possiable for a man to do in my situation and shall exert myself more than common (if Possiabe) to come at the bottom of everything - Doctor Franklin is a life and does nothing but fly from one part of Paris to t'other-Possiably his course may be Stop'd Shortly as I hope and flat[ter] myself you'll have some favourable Intelligence from other side the Atlantic which will Check him and his boasting followers - Indeed tis highly necessary- -as they carry their heads much above the common Run-on acct of the disaster of Gen1 Bourgoyne - Adieu ? Dr Sir expect News in my Next if any- I have not seen Ogg yet but hope to find the Needfull there as this Season of year here is attended with unusual Expenses- which is Customary I am with Respect Your Hum Sert "GEO. LUPTON "Dec. 31, 1777" |